Sphygmomanometric measuring apparatus



Jan. 4, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July l0, 1961 Jan. 4, 1966 R. D. ERICKSON E'I'AL 3,227,155

SPHYGMOMANOMETRIC MEASURING APPARATUS Filed July 1o, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INV EN TORS ROGER D. ERICKSON BY RICHARD s. KAMPF ATTORNEY.

Jan. 4, 1966 R. D. ERICKSON r-:TAL

SPHYGMOMANOMETRI C MEASUR ING APPARATUS Filed July lO, 1961 5 Shee'cs--Shee'fl 4 FIG. 5

INVENTORJ'.

ROGER D. ERICKSON BY RICHARD S. KAMPF ATTORNEY.

R. D. ERICKSON z-:TAL 3,227,155

SPHYGMOMANOMETRIC MEASURING APPARATUS Filed July 1o, 1961 Jan. 4,l 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 7

TIME

INVENTORS. ROGER D, ERICKSON By RICHARD S. KAMPF United States Patent ii() 2 -sPHYGMoMANM TRICJMEASURING `JAPPARA-TUS "This invention relates `toA condition monitoring apparatus, and more particularlyto a body function `sensor and recorder.

There are Vnumerous circumstances now -prevalent wherein it' has `been found desirable :tomoriitor certain `-functions of the human body. Amongthese, pulse rate `and bloodvpressureyboth ,systolic and diastolic, are function s"found to be important asbeing indicative of the condition of ,the bodyuunder observation. Heretofore,

"snjch observations were either made manually or `by instrumentation `which presented probabilities ofsubstantial discomfort to the` person being examined.

It is,accordingly, an object ofthe present invention to provide any irnproved means for monitoring body funcftions such asipulse rate andblood pressure.

*It is another object ofthis invention to provide a body 'function monitor as setforth which provides a minimum lof discomfort `for the onev under observation.

It is afurther object of this invention lto provide an `improved sensing gmeans structurefor 4atbody function monitor. y `Yet another object of this invention 'is to provide an fimproved"lockingahinge joint suchas 'is 'suitable for ,use in an improvedsensingmeans"structure asY set forth.

In accomplishing these and other objects, there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, an *improved structure for sensing means. T he structurejinclndes a hinged mechanism carrying a light source memoftheperson `under observation. Springmeans are'proprovide controlled occlusion of the Iblood vessels `in the ear, which occlusionmay then be interpreted 'finlterms of LVblood pressure.

A ibetter understanding ofthe present invention may `be had from the following detailed description when read Cinconnectionwitlittheaccompanying drawings in which:

liber on one leg and a photocell member on the otherleg and is `adapted fto be secured onto the pinna of fthe ear lFIG.1 1 issa `schematic block diagram of afbodyfunc- Y .tion monitor according tothe presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of a person with jatbody-function detector apparatus in" operating position;

FIG. v3 is a plan view of Aa body-function detectorconi structed in` accordance with the` present invention;

fFIG. 4 is a'view, partially in section, taken along the nine 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. '5 `is a vien/partly broken away, taken along the luness of FIG. 4;

tl-TIG. V6 is an exploded viewofthe` hinge supportvstruc- Ature for the detector'according .to the present invention, and

FIG. 7 is a pair of curves illustrating certain functional relationships of the system.

Referring now to the drawings fin more detail, there 3,227,155 Patented Jan. 4, .1966

e :a isshown, inFIG. l an illustration of a system embodying the present invention. A sensing device ordetector 2, tobedescribedin more detail hereinafter, comprises :atransmitting member v4 and a receiving member f6. These members are positioned with the pinna 8of the ear,` of al person4 under observation, between themin such mannerthatenergy transmitted by the transmitter memfber4 passes through the tissue` of the ear to the receiving member 6. The blood coursing throughthe blood vessels Vofthe ear provides a variable impedance tothe transmission of energy through the tissue. This produces a series of pulses `in the output of the receivermemberat a rate which corresponds to the pulse rate of the person under observation. The Aamplitude of these pulses, initially, is a function of the sensitivity of the detector` and lthe `transmission characteristic of the ear tissue. Through .suitable circuitry the sensitivity of the detection means maybe adjusted to accommodate the individual ear.` `The pulse signals are fed to preamplier 10 where `the signalsare amplified for subsequent use. From the preamplifier 10, the pulse signals are fed to a pulse amplifer llwhere the pulse signals are again amplie-d, cornpressure exerted on the tissue of the ear to progressively i occlude the yblood vessels in that portion of the ear'be- "tween 'thegrnembers This means includes the tiuid pressure feed lines 1S. Controlled fluid pressure is applied `through the feed lines 18 from apressure controller 20. The controllerf20 is, in turn, controlled by.a.pressure programmer `22 to produce a progressively increasing pressure in the feed `llines18 from a pressure supply source 24.V The pressure programmer 22, along withthe remainder of thesyStem, is under the control of aimaster or overall ,programmer 26.

Initially, no added pressure is exerted on the ear by the fluidpressuremeans of the detector. This resultsin .a time of substantially uniform pulse heights as output signal from the detector 2. This relation `may be seen in Athe `representative correlated curves of FIG. 7 where curve Arrepresents a record of the applied pressure from the `pressure controller 20 and curve B represents theloutput signals from the detector 2. At a signal from the master oroverall programmer 26, the pressure `programmer 22,signals the pressure controller 2l) to begin to increase the pressure in the `leads 18. Some time prior to this signal to the pressure programmer 22, a control sig.- nal is applied from the master programmer 26 to a pulseV Yrate gate 28.

The signal` to the pulse -rate gate 2S causes .the gate to block signals from `the pulse relay 16, the pulse relay 16 being provided with a first pair of contacts 30 which 4operate once 4each time the pulse relay is actuated. The gate 28 is arranged to pass signals from Athe pulse relay 16 during the interval of uniform height pulses previously Vreferred to. Thisinterval, determined by the master programmer 26, may, for example, beset at thirty seconds.

During this interval, the pulse signals are fed to a pulse 'rate accumulator 32. The pulse rate accumulator Vput signal is fed toa pulse-rate recorder 34 which, on

signal from the master programmer 26, prints out a record of the pulse rate of the person.

As the pressure on the ear of the person under observation is uniformly increased, as indicated by the slope of the curve A of FIG. 7, the amplitude of the pulse signals developed by the detector 2 starts increasing to a maximum, then turns and drops sharply to near Zero. An explanation of this characteristic curve is that with no applied pressure on the ear, the pulse heights, during the uniform period, is proportioned to the difference between diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure of the ear, that is the cross-sectional dimensions of the blood vessels in the ear assume their normal pattern, producing a normal change in dimension with each blood pulse. As the applied pressure increases, there is produced an increasing difference in the effective dimensions of the blood vessels, hence an increasing difference in the impedance to the transmission of energy through the tissue. That, in turn, produces an increasing pulse height in the developed signal, up to a maximum when the vessels are completely collapsed under diastolic condition. Further increases in applied pressure cause the dimension of the blood vessels to be reduced even under systolic condition. This produces a corresponding reduction in the amplitude of the resultant signal to a theoretical minimum when the blood vessels are collapsed during both diastolic and systolic conditions. Theoretically, the maximum signal should be produced when the applied pressure corresponds to diastolic blood pressure and the point at which the pulse height signals become zero should be representative of that applied pressure which corresponds with systolic blood pressure. In fact, previous systems for automatically measuring blood pressure have been predicated upon this premise. However, experience has taught that these critical points are difficult to determine accurately and produce very poor repeatability. For example, the maximum signal point may be in an envelope which is too flat on top to accurately determine the actual peak. Further, a false peaking of the curve may be produced by the parameters of the measuring circuit. Similarly, the zero point is vague. The slope of the envelope does not follow a straight-line curve to zero but attens out and gradually approaches zero. The actual zero point becomes obscured in the system low-level noise.

It has been found by the present inventors that one feature of highly accurate repeatability is the sharply breaking downward slope of the envelope between the theoretical diastolic and systolic conditions. It has further been found that a predetermined point on this downward slope bears a uniform fractional relationship to actual arterial systolic blood pressure as determined by the usual arm-cuff method. The present system, then, relies upon this relationship to give an output signal representative of systolic blood pressure.

To this end, the pulse relay 16 is provided with a second set of normally open contacts 36 which are closed once each time the pulse relay i6 is actuated. One arm of the contacts 36 is connected to ground while the other is connected through a resistor 38 to one electrode of a capacitor 40. The other electrode of the capacitor 40 is connected to ground. A reference signal source 42, constituting a source of charging potential for the capacitor 40, is connected through a resistor 44 to the ungrounded electrode of the capacitor 40. Charging current flows from the reference source to the capacitor 40 tending to produce a charge thereon. However, the charging rate is relatively slow. So long as the contacts 36 of the relay continue to close with each blood pulse, no appreciable charge can be developed on the capacitor 40 since each closure of the contacts 36 short circuits the capacitor 40 to ground, discharging it through the resistor 38. When, however, the detected pulse amplitude falls below that value determined by the reference source 14, the pulse relay I6 ceases to operate. When that happens, the contacts 36 remain open and a charge is permitted to build up on the capacitor 40. The build up of the charge on the capacitor 40 produces a signal which triggers a pulse absence gate 46. This, in turn, causes a pulse absence relay 4S to be actuated, closing a pair of contacts 50 thereon. The closing of the contacts 50 provides a signal to the master programmer 26. Upon receipt of this signal, the master programmer 26 signals the pressure programmer 22 to stop the operation of the pressure controller 2t). Connected to and also controlled by the pressure controller 20 is a pressure analogue device 52 which produces an electrical signal which is an analogue function of the controlled pressure output of the pressure controller 20. This analogue signal is calibrated in terms of actual systolic blood-pressure and fed to a systolic blood pressure recorder 54 which, upon a control signal from the master programmer 26, prints a record of the thus determined systolic blood pressure.

Returning to the preamplifier 10, it may be seen that the output thereof is also fed to a pulse height storage gate 56. This gate 56 is normally open to permit the passage of pulses therethrough. However, this gate 56 is controlled by a signal from the overall or master programmer 26. Prior to the time when the pressure controller 20 receives the signal 4from the pressure programmer 22 to begin the pressure increase, a signal is sent from the programmer 26 to close the gate 56, stopping the further passage of pulses therethrough. Thus, the gate 56 passes pulses only during the initial interval of relatively uniform puise heights. These passed pulses are fed to a pulse height averaging and storage means 58. This means produces a stored signal which corresponds to the average heights of the received pulses during the aforesaid interval. This signal is stored in the means 5S until called for. A read gate 60 is connected to the output of the storage means 58 and blocks the output of the storage means until the gate 60 is opened. When the systolic blood pressure recorder 54 has printed the systolic record, it sends a signal to open the read gate 60 to call for the stored signal in the storage means 58. It will be recalled that it was observed that the pulse height during the relatively uniform pulse height interval s a function of the difference between systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure. In view of this, the average pulse height signal, when passed by the gate 60 is fed to an amplifier 62 to produce an analogue signal which is a suitable multiple of the stored signal. This analogue signal is then fed to a subtraction circuit 64 to which the analogue signal representative of systolic pressure is also fed. There the pulse height analogue signal is subtracted from the systolic pressure analogue signal leaving a remainder which is the analogue of diastolic blood pressure. This signal is fed to a diastolic blood pressure recorder 66 which, upon receipt of a control signal from the systolic recorder following the printing of the systolic record, prints a record of the diastolic blood pressure.

While three separate recorders have been indicated, one for each of the three recited functions, it should be apparent that a single, multiple-record instrument may be used.

In order to provide a reliable signal to the foregoing system, an improved detector structure has been provided. This structure is shown in detail in FIGS. 3-6 to which reference is now made. The detector 2, as noted, includes a transmitter member 4 and a receiver member 6. The transmitter member includes a transmitter housing member 68 which is in the form of a generally cylindrical body having a central bore therethrough. Within the bore of the body member 68 is positioned an energy transmitting device 70. In these drawings the device 70 is illustrated as being a small light bulb. This bulb is cemented into the bore by a suitable cement. The bore is also provided with one or more axial grooves 72,

a passageway around the bulb a suitable ilu'idv such as air maybe passed. A rear cap 74 is provided which closesthe bore atjone end with the exception of an inlet passage; The cap `'/"4 is sealedtojthe 'main `housing member 6 8 toprovide a substantially The receiverzmember 6` is quite similarly constructed o in that there is provided a similarly shapedmain -housing member 80 having a central boren In bore; is secured an energy responsive device such as a photocell 82. Here,

Y too, one or more side grooves84`ar'e provided thebore to `provide a passageway for the t air, or other fluid,`

around the photocell 8,2. `A transparent protective disk `8.6 covers the face of therphotocell 82Uand, extends outwardly over the open end ofthe housingmember 80. Accordingly, one or more radial grooves 8 8 are provided in the face o f thehousingmember to continue the air passage priovided by =t h e grooves' $4. Again,` a thin, hexi-ble, transparent diaphragm 85 covers the open end of the `housing member 80. This diaphragm, tooprovidesamilexible, iluid tight seal over the front end of the housing `member80.

The rear end of thehousingmernber is sealed into ,a mounting arm 90 which closes and seals the rearend of the h'ousingmember 80. As in the `case of the rearcap 74, an inlet passage is provided in the arm member 90.

"94 the two Yfilms are `relatively movable in an arcuate direction with' respect 'to 'each other with the support member serving as a hinge. The amount of freedom of This, similarly, accomodates an `airline `18 ,which also carries lwithin it a pair of electrical leads 92, These leads carry the electrical signal developed ator across the photocell 82 to the rest of thesystem as shown in FIG. y1.

A support structure comprises ahinge means for uniting the transmitter member 4 and the receiver member 6 into a unitary structure, This stipportstructure includes a cylindrical housing or 'outer member` 94. A lock ring 96 ts into aninternalcircumferential groove in the housing member 94 to provide anend stop for` a multipart inner structure. aplurality, here. shownas four, central wedge members 98 and a pair of conjugate end wedge members 100. These members are arranged within th'e outer member 94 with the butt Vend of one of the end Wedge members 100 in `engagement with the lock ring abutment 9`6with its wedge surfaces pointing toward the opposite end of the housing member. `Next the four Ycentral wedges 98, which are tapered at both ends at an anglewhich is conjugate or mating with the taper of the end wedges, are positioned within the housing or outer member 94. Then the other end wedge member'1`00 is positioned with its wedge sur-` faces'ma'ting with the corresponding" surfaces of'the 'eentral wedge members 98. A second locking ring abutment 102 is provided to keepthese Vseveral `parts within the `housing member 94. However, the second "ring 102, is

so positioned that the several parts tit loosely within the housing. It may be seen from thefdrawing that the several wedges are so contouredto substantially matchthe inner surface of the housing member `94 lbuta tr-ansversespace is left between the Wedges. `Iritookthisspace there is inserted a tongue end of a second arm member 104 'which extends through an oversized axial `slotlin theouter o`r housing member 94, The tongue end of this arm is secured to the inner structu'reby a pin key `106 which lies in a transverse groove in the tongue end of the arm 104 and a matchinggroovein an appropriate one of the central wedges. The outer end of the arm 1.04'oarries the transmitter member 4.` lThe 9 0, whioh carries` at The inner structure comprises A one end the receiver vmember "6, is secured tofthe outer surface of the outer 'member`9`4 as by a suitable cement movement is small, being limited by the arcuate dimensions oftheslotin the housing member 94. A leaf spring 108 "is secured to the `bottom of the rst arm 90 and is contoured `to engage the back of the transmitter member 4. This springnormally urges the transmitter member`4 andjthe receiver membero toward each other to a minimum separation between thernto Vpermit thestructu're to be mounted `on vthe ear of the person under observation and provide a measure of uniformity in the initially applied mechanical pressure on the ear.

v Once inplace on the ear, means must be provided `for locking the two members in their relative position vtoprevent further separation when fluid pressure is added to inflatethe diaphragms 78 and 85. Preferably, this lockingmeansshouldbe such as `to be -operable to effect the locking function withoutimparting a `tendency to `modify `the initial pressure on the ear, applied -by -the 'spring v108. To this end, a rlcnurled cap h110 is threaded onto theone end of the housing member 94; This cap has a central boss`or protuberance 1`1`2 which extends into the interior .of the housing 94 inn a position to engage the butt `end of one of the end wedge members 100. When lthe cap is screwed down, the end wedges are axially urged toward each other, forcing the central wedges'radially apart 'untilthey tightly engage the inner surface of the housing member as Well `as tightly engaging the tongue of ythe arm 104. This 'prevents relative movement between the ,inner andouter structures, and, hence, between the transmitter member and the receiver member, aridiit has been `accomplished without any relative arcuate force applied Since ,the surface of the'ear is notfiat, the luse of a hard hatl surface as a -reference `pressure plane produces an uneven occlusion of the blood vesselsof the ea-r, the high points beingoccludedfrstthen, ywhen the pressure has "suilicientlyincreased, thelow pointsv are occluded. With `two flexible surfaces as Aprovided here, the flexible difaphragms conform to the contour of the surface of the fear andprovideda uniform occlusion, leading to a more acurate output signal.

I While both diaphragms have been illustratedas being inflatable, it should be apparent Vthat lone of the vdiaphragms might be preinilated and [sealed ytoprovide `a flexible reference cushion ywhich will stillffollowithe ear co`nt our,'leaving only one of the diaphragms to be under the control of the pressure controllert y In `order to provide ja measure of convenience and a lfrninimumhof` discomfort to the Vwearer of the detector herein described, `a head gear arrangement hasbeenprlovided. `ThisL is illustrated inFIG. 2. A contoured plastic plate114 is provided with Iopening 116 therein through whichV the ear protrudes. 'This' plate 104 is arranged to beplae'ed next to the head lsurrounding `the ear. This Aplate carries a Vterminal box ,118 into which the lines f8 @fthe atecterjareplugged. with the 'plate 1 14 in piace "thedetector 4str`1f1 `c"ture 2 is'attached to the protrudingmear. `Over'this assembly there is`p'ositioned a contoured, plastic cup 120 with padded edges. The entire assembly is held in place by a mesh head band 122. With the apparatus thus mounted, the wearer may lie comfortably with the detector in place and may roll over to lie on the ear to which the detector is attached without discomfort or withlceiver toward each other to provide a predetermined minimum initial pressure on the ear, locking means included in said hinge member to lock said structure in an initial position determined by said spring member and to prevent relative motion between said transmitter member and said receiver member when said structure is positioned on the ear, and means for progressively increasing the pressure on said ear between said transmitter member and said receiver member to vary the transmission characteristics of said ear to produce a signal correlated to the desired body-function.

2. A body-function detector structure adapted to be mounted on the pinna of the ear of a person under observation, said structure comprising a transmitter member, a receiver member, a hinged support member having an outer portion and a relatively movable inner portion, said transmitter member being secured to said outer portion of said support member, said receiver member being secured to said inner portion of said support member, said transmitter member and said receiver member being supported with limited relative motion in substantially face-to-face relation, a spring member for normally biasing said transmitter member and said receiver member toward each other to provide a predetermined minimum initial pressure on the ear, locking means included in said support member to lock said structure in any desired position to prevent relative motion between said transmitter member and said receiver member when said structure is positioned on the ear, and means for progressively increasing the pressure on said ear between -said transmitter member and said receiver member to vary the transmission characteristics of said ear to produce a signal correlated to the desired body-function.

3. A body-function detector structure adapted to be mounted on the pinna lof the ear of a person under observation, said structure comprising a transmitter member, a receiver member, a hinged support member having an outer portion and a relatively movable inner portion, said transmitter member being secured to said outer portion of said support member, said receiver member being secured to said inner portion of said support member, said transmitter member and said receiver member being supported with limited relative motion in substantially face-to-face relation, a spring member for normally biasing said transmitter member and said receiver member toward each other to provide a predetermined minimum initial pressure on the ear, locking means included in said support member to lock said structure in any desired position to prevent relative motion between said transmitter member and said receiver member when said structure is positioned on the ear, and fluid pressure means on said transmitter means and on said receiver means `for progressively and uniformly increasing the pressure on said ear between said transmitter member and saidv receiver member to vary the transmission characteristics of said ear to produce a signal correlated to the desired body-function.

4. A body-function detector structure adapted to be mounted on the pinna of the ear of a person under observation, said structure comprising a transmitter member including a light source, a receiver member including a photocell, a hinged support member having an outer portion and a relatively movable inner portion, said transmitter member being secured to said outer portion of said support member, said receiver member being secured to said inner portion of said support member, said transmitter member and said receiver member being supported with limited relative motion in substantially face-to-facc relation, a spring member for normally biasing said transmitter member and said receiver member toward each other to provide a predetermined minimum initial pressure on the ear, locking means included in said support member to lock said structure in any desired position to prevent relative motion between said transmitter member and said receiver member when said structure is positioned on the ear, and uid pressure means on said transmitter means and on said receiver means for progressively and uniformly increasing the pressure on said ear between said transmitter member and said receiver member to vary the transmission characteristics of said ear to produce a signal correlated to the desired body-function.

5. A body-function detector structure adapted to be mounted on the pinna of the ear of a person under observation, said structure comprisinga transmitter member, a receiver member, a hinged support member, said support member having a substantially cylindrical outer member, an inner structure including a plurality of central wedge members and a pair of conjugate end wedge member, said inner structure being normally loosely carried within said cylindrical outer member, means for selectively urging said end wedge members toward each other to force said central wedge members radially outward to frictionally engage the inner surface of said outer member to prevent relative motion between said outer member and said inner structure, rst arm means carrying said receiver member secured to said cylindrical outer member, second arm means carrying said transmitter member secured to said inner structure, and spring means coupled to said two arm means normally urging said transmitter member andy said receiver member toward each other when said inner structure is loosely carried in said outer member.

6. A body-function detector structure adapted to be mounted on the pinna of the ear of a person under observation, said structure comprising a transmitter member including a transmitter housing member having a central bore open at one end, a radiant energy transmitting device mounted within said bore for radiating energy through said open end, a transparent iexible diaphragm member sealed over said open end; a fluid passageway around said transmitting device through said bore, controlled uid pressure means for inflating said diaphragm member; a receiver member including a receiver housing member having a central bore open at one end, a radiant energy responsive receiving device mounted within said receiver housing bore, a transparent flexible diaphragm member sealed over said open end of said receiver housing member, a uid passageway around said receiving device through said bore in said receiver housing, controlled Huid pressure means for inflating said diaphragm on said receiver member; a hinged support member having an outer member and a normally relatively movable inner structure, a first arm means securing said receiver member to said outer member, a second arml means securing said transmitting member to said inner structure, said support means including means for selectively locking said inner structure to said outer member to prevent relative motion therebetween, and spring means for normally urging said transmitting member and said receiving member toward each other.

7. A body-function detector structure adapted to be mounted on the pinna of the ear of a person under observation, said structure Comprising a transmitter member, a receiver member, means for positioning said structure on the ear of said person with said transmitter member on one side of the ear and the receiver member on the other side of the ear in a position to transmit energy through the tissue of the ear, a first transparent flexible surface contour conforming pressure pad on said transmitter member, a second transparent flexible surface contour conforming pressure pad on said receiver member, and means for distending at least one of said pressure pads to progressively increase the pressure on the ear pinna.

8. A body-function detector structure adapted to be mounted on the pinna of the ear of a person under observation, said structure comprising a transmitter member, a receiver member, support means for supporting said transmitter member and said receiver member in substantially face-to-face relation on opposite sides of said pinna of the ear for transmitting energy through the tissue of said pinna, said support means including a loose coupling between said transmitter member and said receiver member permitting a limited relative motion between them, spring means coupled to normally urge said transmitter member and said receiver member toward each other to exert a minimum pressure on said pinna, locking means on said support means to lock said structure against relative motion between said transmitter member and said receiver member while maintaining said minimum pressure on said pinna, and flexible uid pressure means on each of said transmitter member and said receiver member for progressively and uniformly increasing the pressure on said ear.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,133,454 3/1915 Banzett 16-143 1,849,536 3/1932 Soss 16-136 2,187,099 l/ 1940 Rodemeyer 16-142 2,540,163 2/1951 Brosene 12S-2.05 2,569,862 10/ 1951 Morin 16-128 2,735,134 2/1956 Green 16-144 2,790,438 4/ 1957 Taplin 128-2 2,827,040 3/ 1958 Gilford 12S-2.05 2,944,542 7/ 1960 Barnett 12S- 2.05 3,051,165 8/ 1962 Kompelien 12S- 2.05

20 RICHARD A; GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD I. HOFFMAN, JORDAN FRANKLIN,

. Examiners. 

1. A BODY-FUNCTION DETECTOR STRUCTURE ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON THE PINNA OF THE EAR OF A PERSON UNDER OBSERVATION, SAID STRUCTURE COMPRISING A TRANSMITTER MEMBER, A RECEIVER MEMBER, A HINGE MEMBER, SAID TRANSMITTER MEMBER AND SAID RECEIVER MEMBER BEING CARRIED, FOR LIMITED RELATIVE MOVEMENT, BY SAID HINGE MEMBER IN SUBSTANTIALLY FACE-TO-FACE RELATION, A SPRING MEMBER FOR NORMALLY BIASING SAID TRANSMITTER MEMBER AND SAID RECEIVER TOWARD EACH OTHER TO PROVIDE A PREDETERMINED MINIMUM INITIAL PRESSURE ON THE EAR, LOCKING MEANS INCLUDED IN SAID HINGE MEMBER TO LOCK SAID STRUCTURE IN AN INITIAL POSITION DETERMINED BY SAID SPRING MEMBER AND TO PREVENT RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN SAID TRANSMITTER MEMBER AND SAID RECEIVER MEMBER WHEN SAID STRUCTURE IS POSITIONED ON THE EAR, AND MEANS FOR PROGRESSIVELY INCREASING THE PRESSURE ON SAID EAR BETWEEN SAID TRANSMITTER MEMBER AND SAID RECEIVER MEMBER TO VARY THE TRANSMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF SAID EAR TO PRODUCE A SIGNAL CORRELATED TO THE DESIRED BODY-FUNCTION. 